CW-X Insulator Support Top - Women's

I am pretty cheap when it comes to running gear, but this top did not let me down. I can run in 70 degree West Coast sunshine or 30 degree East Coast snow (under layers of course). It's so versatile and comfortable. I've had no problems chafing, and it manages to be supportive without squishing my breasts. I don't think I'll ever run in anything else.

I like the idea of this top as it is a nice change from the shelf bras but wish it was made for different cup sizes. I have a small ribcage but am busty so I got a medium to fit the ribcage. This holds me all together nicely but not attractively. From the reviews I had read of this top and related tops, I had hoped I would avoid the uniboob or at least have no skin on skin. A larger size may have helped with this but at the cost of support. I found the shoulder straps to be very close to my neck. This is somewhat irritating as it rests on the muscles on either side of my neck and I was worried that it would lead to tension pain; fortunately this has not happened. Still, I would have preferred the straps to be a little further apart. All that said, I do wear the top and found it comfortable enough to sleep with it on during an overnight ski trip. I believe that since this is a full-length top and provides over-all support, there is no bra-band constriction (which occurs with some sports bras).

This top has so many uses, I hardly take it off. The insulating part of this top isn't as intimidating as it seems. You don't overheat with it, it just keeps your core warm. I have worn this as a climbing top and as a base "sports bra" when out in the cold. I like how it compresses but you don't feel like you are being suffocated. I wore this over the weekend where it was snowing with a baselayer shirt over it and I stayed toasty. It's amazing how it actually kept my hands warm (a warm core means a warm extremity). The bra part is nice as well, fitting into the usual stellar construction as all CW-X bras do. The front neckline does sit a bit high but I like that for the support and coverage. The other thing I liked is how the shoulder straps sat a little more medial than normal bras and tops, resulting in better shoulder and arm movement. Your shoulder sockets and blade don't rub at all on the straps. I will wear this top all winter long skiing, snowshoeing, and working out. I might buy the other color now...

This top is everything I needed in a supportive base layer. It's very much a compression top, which is what I was looking for, and functions as a level 3 (high activity) sports bra as well as a moisture-wicking tank. Perfect under a fleece half-zip for my cool morning runs. Only small complaint is the difficulty getting it off, but I figured out the technique and now it's a snap.

The only thing that I did not like about the insulator top was how it hugged my collar bones and was a little too snug against them. I'm not very fond of things around my neck area.

After trying the regular CW-X sports bra, I decided to try the new insulated version. It is great! It offers the same amazing support of their traditional sports bra using the concept of encapsulating each breast individually. It does not use compression for support and is extremely comfortable. I was leery of the material at first thinking I’d overheat, but just the opposite! When I'm using it outside in the cold mornings it keeps my core warm and comfortable and as I run and heat up I never feel too warm. I've even worn this product to the gym and did not overheat with it on. The material not only feels soft on your skin it also pulls the sweat right off your body to the outside of the fabric to dry quickly, just like CW-X's original sports bra. Overall, just as great as the non insulated version and I highly recommend both.